Introducing

At first glance LNZNDRF may look like a jumble of letters, but fans of The National and Beirut should immediately take note. It’s the new project of Scott and Bryan Devendorf of The National, and Ben Lanz of Beirut (he also plays with The National live). Together, the trio form LNZNDRF and like Matt Berninger did last year, they look to make a name for themselves in 2016.

The group will release their self-titled debut album via 4AD on February 19. It was recorded over two and a half days at a Cincinnati church, with songs improvised from the old spirit that made them want to make music in the first place,

They’ve given us a preview of what is to come with a set of three live songs from the album (it looks like they’re joined by Beirut’s Aaron Arntz live), and the results are rather stunning. “Beneath The Black Sea” sounds like it could have come from New Order or Joy Division, they dive into dream-laden psych territory that reminds of My Bloody Valentine at times with “Mt. Storm,” and the experimental “King Things” has a experimental world-influence that isn’t easy to pin down to just one idea or genre. It’s safe to say that LNZNDRF isn’t just a one-off solo project, but a fully formed idea ready to take over our minds.

Enjoy all three of the live performances posted below. The album is available to pre-order now, with a limited clear vinyl pressing still available. The band will make their NYC live debut at the Mercury Lounge on Saturday, March 5, with an early and late show.Read the rest of this entry »

It’s not that often that I am able to share local artists from Rockland County, which makes me excited to share the work of Sam Seeger with you guys today. You may remember a post we did last year about his previous band Man From Glove. Since then, he’s started his journey as a solo artist, recently releasing a solo EP of his own entitled Coffin Fashion. So he’s not new to scene, but maybe his journey as a solo artist is new to you.

It doesn’t take long for Sam to impress on the EP, with opening track “Drumbeat of the Apocalypse” flashing some serious riffs, very much in the league of Jack White’s early days with The White Stripes. Second track “Empty Mind Man” is rooted in classic rock influences, but separated by the unique personal stamp that Sam is able to give each performance. “Advencha!” captures the glorious crunch of 90’s era Beck, showing Seeger’s incredible range and ability to tackle many forms of the genre with relative ease. There’s some impressive guitar work on his EP, combined with the drumming of Rosie Slater of New Myths combining to create a mature and impressive effort, one that deserves some serious attention.

The full EP is able to purchase (and stream) over at bandcamp. I’ve embeded a stream of “Drumbeat of the Apocalypse” below, as well as a cool interview clip with Sam put together by Fuck The Warm Sound. Enjoy both below.Read the rest of this entry »

Heading from Prague are a delightful new band by the name of Latimer House. On February 10 they released their debut album All The Rage via their own label, Honk Records.

One listen to the band’s debut single “This Is Pop, will win you over. If you’re a regular around these parts, chances are you’ll dig the groovy English guitar rock style that Latimer House produce. Crisp and clean melodies wit a bouncy groove. There’s also the equally awesome “Shake!” that will get your foot tapping as well.

Bronx Cheer are a new three-piece band out of New York featuring Michelle Myers (on Bass/Vocals), Steve Glauber (Drums) and Rich Weiss (Guitar/Vocals). Earlier in the month they released their debut EP Is This Right? , which they recorded one weekend over at The Silent Barn.

The 4-song collection is a steady set of sludgy song dipped with a influence of 90s indie rock. Fuzzy guitars and raw vocals pave the way for some rock solid jams that hit home instantly. From the delightful opener “Prozac Dreams” to the grand rock out of “Well”, there’s a real honestly to Bronx Cheer’s sound that captures you and begs for a few more spins.

It’s hard to find accomplished releases from a new group, but Bronx Cheer have released something that feels strong and tight. For a debut release, it’s as good as they come. Excited to see what’s next for the group, but for now let’s enjoy this EP.

Man From Glove may be new to you, but let’s change that. The band hails from Palisades, NY (which is my neck of the woods in Rockland County) and features Sam Seeger (guitar & vocals), Jimmy McQuade (bass) and Raza Abdullah. Last weekend I had the pleasure of catching their performance at the Lit Lounge, and it was a good one. Read the rest of this entry »

Hospital are a band that come all the way from Russia, and are a freaking treasure of a find.

I become introduced to Hospital through their wonderful, uplifting, new single, “Lust For You.” Listening to it will instantly connect on an emotional level, as it gives you the pick-me-up of a lifetime. This is a the type of song with potential to soundtrack movies and commercials, big and wide enough that is deserves to be heard in the biggest of arenas.

Surprisingly, Hospital released their debut album When The Trees Were Higher earlier this year (in January), and it’s been overlooked by practically everyone. Don’t continue ignoring these guys, you’re going to want to head to bandcamp to check that out, and dig your teeth deep in “Lust For You.” It’s one of the best songs that you have yet to hear this year.

Let me introduce you to Greyjoy, a duo (Karlin Courtney & Matt Crockett) from Australia who you should be listening to. If you read this blog, there’s a good chance you’re going to become a big fan of these guys after hearing their sounds.

This summer they released their debut EP, which consists of 5-tracks that bath in all the best elements of synth-friendly dream pop. They live in the finest world of dream-pop wonder on the shimmering “Idle Thoughts” which features quite a delicious bassline. “Distane” has some elements and melodies that remind me of Passion Pit, minus the heavier synth overload. Then you have the lovely ballad “Emerald.”

Most recent singles “Complications” is a r&b jam that could be happily mistaken as a lost Hot Chip track. They’ve got the right ideas to transcend many different genres and elements, all while creating their own unmistakable sound. I’m quite impressed with how far along this young duo is, and urge you to check them out and keep them locked on your radar.

These guys have a bright future ahead of them, and are a band you need to watch. Mark my words, Greyjoy are the real deal.

The Glade are 4-piece folk-rock band from Sweeden. The band includes Jonas Carping on lead vocals. If that name sounds familiar, that’s because we featured his solo work here not too long ago. The same elements that worked so well for Carping as a solo artist are brought to fruition in a different way with his band, rounded out by Tobias Gustavsson on bass, Nils Janlöv on guitar, and Martin Karlsson on the drums. Read the rest of this entry »

When not playing with his band The Glade, Jonas Carping is also a very talented solo musician. Hailing from Stockhold, Sweden, Carping has just released his debut solo album, All The Time In The World.

While appreciative of folk rock music, it’s not my genre of “expertise”, but whatever a good folk artist needs, Jonas has got it going on. He knows how to tell a story. On opener “Left In Here” he sings about the pain and worries that come with that doubt your left with in relationships, afraid of the loneliness of being left alone. It’s a brilliant opener, he sets the tone for the rest of the the record.

From the first strum of the guitar on “Underground” you instantly make a close personal connection with Jonas. His vocal has a homely draw, something like a foreign Matt Berninger of The National. It’s easy to recognize that he has a natural ability to right a song with a memorable melody, something that just sweeps you into its world with gravity and grace. And this is just the first track from an artist that you’ve likely not even heard of yet. Well, that should change.

All The Time In The World is built on 10 songs, which are self-described as “a story of hope but also of loss of hope and finding it again at places not always expected.”

On the album, Carping worked with many different musicians such as his collaboration on “The Sting” with Sigrid Nilsson on vocals. Anyone whose ever dealt with the heartbreak of a relationship can find some form of emotional connection to this powerful song, which has snuck up on me later in the year here in November as one of the better songs to be released all year. The beauty of Jonas’ songs is that their so natural and sincere that you will be sure to find some semblance of reflection or something that you can take away that’s personal and unique to your own self.

In a short time, Jonas has made a great impression on me, impressing me with his ability to share his feelings over incredibly satisfying melodies and vocals, finding ways into your heart and soul with ease.

Take a journey into All The Time In The World, you won’t regret it. The album is currently available to stream and purchase at his bandcamp page. You can also find him on his website, facebook, and twitter.

I’m always looking for new music. But while reading the front page of reddit, I didn’t expect to make any new music discoveries. I was reading a thread about instances when people under estimated you and you proved them dead wrong. One redditer told a story how no one expected anything from his band during a battle of the bands competition at his school, and he proved them dead wrong. He posted a link to his bands EP, and naturally, I checked it out.

Glad I did, because it’s a promising little EP. They’re a band called The Guilty Sparks made up of 4 Suffolk University students out of Boston. They’re EP is titled Get Some Sleep and its 5-song of really enjoyable guitar rock. If you guys remember a band out of Sheffiled, England (no not the Monkeys) named Milburn, these guys remind me a bit of them.

They’re a young band, but this is a very enjoyable little EP that these guys have released. I’m glad I stumbled upon that reddit page. No one should be underestimating these guys anymore.